Foot operated toilet seat lift

ABSTRACT

A foot-operated toilet set apparatus includes a pedal and a main rod having an L-shaped bend at and diagonally extending off a first distal end of the main rod along a diagonal plane, and a perpendicular extending member at a second distal end of the main rod, the perpendicular extending member horizontally extending along a horizontal plane. The apparatus further includes a vertical rod connected to the main rod via the perpendicular extending member, the vertical rod extending vertically along a vertical plane; and a toilet seat mount coupled to the vertical rod and connecting the vertical rod to a toilet seat. Application of downward force to the pedal assembly causes the apparatus to engage and rotate the L-shaped bend via the pedal; rotate the perpendicular extending member; axially lift the vertical rod vertically along the vertical plane; and lift the toilet seat to an open position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/888,359, which was filed on Aug. 16, 2019, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Surface contamination of infectious diseases may be present in bathrooms, particularly public bathrooms, from bioaerosols generated from contaminated toilets. Foot-operated toilet seat lifts reduce or eliminate the need to lift a toilet seat manually, thereby reducing the transfer of bacteria and germs present on a toilet seat to an individual's hand. In this way, foot-operated toilet seat lifts reduce the spread of germs, bacteria, odors, and infections, such as COVID-19 and/or other infectious diseases that may be present in bathroom settings. Such devices may be particularly useful in public restrooms.

SUMMARY

In one example aspect, an apparatus includes a foot-operated pedal assembly; a main rod comprising: an L-shaped bend at and diagonally extending off a first distal end of the main rod along a diagonal plane, and a perpendicular extending member at a second distal end of the main rod, the perpendicular extending member horizontally extending along a horizontal plane; a vertical rod connected to the main rod via the perpendicular extending member, the vertical rod extending vertically along a vertical plane; and a toilet seat mount coupled to the vertical rod and connecting the vertical rod to a toilet seat. Upon application of downward force to the foot-operated pedal assembly causes the foot-operated pedal assembly to: engage and rotate the L-shaped bend; rotate the perpendicular extending member; axially lift the vertical rod vertically along the vertical plane; and lift the toilet seat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an example implementation of a foot-operated toilet seat lift in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 2-7 show various views of the foot-operated toilet seat lift at different angles and in different operating positions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show additional details of the pedal of the in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows example dimensions of various parts of the foot-operated toilet seat accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Previously developed and existing foot-operated toilet seat lifts are relatively costly to manufacture and may be time consuming to install. Further, some previously developed toilet seat lifts may be difficult to operate, as a pedal depress point may be located at an elevation above the floor, thus requiring the user to lift their leg and apply significant amount of force pedal. Such devices are particularly difficult for elderly and/or disabled individuals with limited range of motion and strength. In addition, prior toilet seat lifts may also require the user maintain force on the peddle to maintain the toilet seat in the upright position, and also slowly disengage the pedal to prevent the toilet seat from slamming shut and damaging the toilet seat. Further, prior toilet seat lifts may also require may also require substantial modification to the toilet to install, and may not be adaptable for use with toilets of varying shapes and sizes.

Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may include an improved foot-operated toilet seat lift that resolves current deficiencies in existing toilet seat lifts, while also being lower in manufacturing cost, simpler to install, and simpler to operate than previously developed foot-operated toilet lifts. Thus, the capacity for business owners, governments, and/or other owners of public facilities (e.g., restaurants, stores, venues, etc.) to acquire and install the foot-operated toilet seat lift, described herein, is vastly increased. As such, the foot-operated toilet seat lift, described herein, is a practical solution for implementing in a large volume of both public and private restrooms. Additionally, the foot-operated toilet seat lift, described herein, is highly adjustable and may be installed for use with variety of toilets of varying shapes and sizes. Further to this end, users may install the foot-operated toilet seat lift for a minimal cost and to improve customer hospitality quality, customer satisfaction, and earn a competitive edge over competing businesses.

Further, the foot-operated toilet seat lift, described herein, is simpler to use than previously developed toilet seat lifts, suitable for use a wide variety of individuals, including the elderly and/or disabled. Such features are of particular importance with consideration to deadly and debilitating infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and other highly contagious infections that may be transmitted through public restroom use in a variety of high-risk facilities, including nursing homes, hospitals, etc. Further, the low manufacturing cost of the foot-operated toilet seat lift, described herein, allows more individuals to have access to a device that eliminates the need for manual toilet seat lifting to slow the spread of infectious diseases.

As described herein, the foot-operated toilet seat lift, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, includes a variety of features that simplify its use and performance over previously developed toilet seat lifts. For example, a main rod is provided which engages a peddle via an L-shaped bend at and diagonally extending off a distal end of the main rod. When a downward force is applied to the peddle (e.g., via a user's foot), the L-shape end rotates the main rod. As described herein, the L-shaped end provides leverage, requiring a relatively low amount of force to operate and cause the main rod to rotate. Rotation of the main rod causes a vertical rod to lift, thereby rotating a ball joint attached to seat mount, which in turn, rotates the toilet set upward. Further, when the peddle is depressed, the peddle may include a retaining member to provide a retaining force, thereby locking and maintaining the toilet seat in a lifted position. As such, the user is not required to maintain force on the peddle to maintain the toilet seat's lifted position. Aspects of the present disclosure may also include a release point on the peddle that releases the retaining force and returns the toilet seat to a downward position. Further, aspects of the present disclosure may include a damper device to slow the return of the toilet seat to the downward position once the retaining force is released, thereby preventing damage to the toilet set and an unpleasant loud slamming noise of the toilet seat.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and figures. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and elements have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of an example implementation of a foot-operated toilet seat lift in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The foot-operated toilet seat lift 100 may lift a toilet set 124. For clarity, the entire toilet has not been shown. However, it is to be understood that the toilet seat shown in FIG. 1 is attached to a toilet, and thus the foot-operated toilet seat lift is operable to lift a toilet seat that is part of a fully functional toilet. As shown in FIG. 1 the foot-operated toilet seat 100 may include a pedal base 102, a pedal 104, a main rod 106, an outer rod 108 a floor mount 112, a vertical inner rod 116, a vertical outer rod 118, and a seat mount 122.

In some embodiments, the pedal base 102 may be placed or mounted on the floor (e.g., next to a toilet). The pedal 104 may attach to the pedal base 102 via a pin 101. The main rod 106 may include a distal L-shaped bend at and diagonally extending off a first distal end of the main rod 106 along a diagonal plane, and a perpendicular extension 107 (e.g., a perpendicular extending member) at a second distal end of the main rod 106 horizontally extending from the main rod along a horizontal plane. A distal end of the pedal 104 may rest on L-shaped end of the main rod 106 such that the pedal 104 is angled. The perpendicular extension 107 may include a threaded end which may connect the main rod 106 to the outer rod 108. Further, the length at which the outer rod 108 extends from an axis along the perpendicular extension 107 may be telescopically adjusted (e.g., via the threads on the perpendicular extension 107). For example, the inner diameter of the outer rod 108 may be larger than the diameter of the perpendicular extension 107. Further, the threads on the perpendicular extension 107 may extend beyond what is shown in FIG. 1. In this way, the lateral position of the foot-operated toilet seat lift 100 may be telescopically adjusted to accommodate toilets of various widths.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the outer rod 108 may include a threaded end to connect the outer rod 108 to a ball joint 110. The main rod 106 may connect to a coupler 113 through a recess of the 113, which may connect to a damper 114. For example, the damper 114 may have a protrusion to connect to a recess on a rear end of the coupler 113. The floor mount 112 may retain the damper, coupler, and main rod in place. Further, the floor mount 112 may be mounted on the floor next to the toilet. In some embodiments, a cover 115 may be provided over the floor mount 112 to enclose and retain the main rod 106, the coupler 113, and the p114 in place.

As further shown in FIG. 1, the vertical inner rod 116 may connect to the main rod 106 via the perpendicular extension 107, outer rod 108, and ball joint 110. For example, the ball joint 110 may include a recess to receive the vertical inner rod 116 via a hooked distal end 117 of the vertical inner rod 116. The vertical inner rod 116 may include a threaded end to connect to the vertical outer rod 118. In some embodiments, the length of the vertical outer rod 118 along an axis of the vertical inner rod 116 may be telescopically adjusted (e.g., via the threads on the end of vertical inner rod 116). For example, the inner diameter of the vertical outer rod 118 may be larger than the diameter of the vertical inner rod 116. In this way, the vertical height of the foot-operated toilet seat lift 100 may be telescopically adjusted to accommodate different toilet seats set at various heights. As further shown in FIG. 1, the vertical outer rod 118 may include a threaded end for connecting the ball joint 120. The ball joint 120 may include a recess for receiving a pin 123 extending from a body of the seat mount 122. The body of the seat mount 122 may be affixed to an underside of the toilet seat 124.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in operation, a user may engage the pedal 104 (e.g., by a user applying downward force F1 to the pedal with the user's foot). Upon engagement of the pedal 104 by the user, a first L-shaped end of the main rod 106 is rotated in the R1 direction, which in turn, rotates the outer round 108 coupled to a second, opposite end of the main rod 106 via the perpendicular extension 107 of the main rod 106. When the outer rod 108 is rotated (e.g., in the R2 direction as shown in FIG. 1), the vertical inner rod 116, is lifted upward along a vertical axis along the vertical inner rod in the L1 direction. In turn, the vertical outer rod 118 and the ball 120 lift upward in the L1 direction. Since the seat 124 is fixed to a toilet, the upward motion of the ball joint 120 causes the seat mount 122 to rotate in the R3 direction about an axis through the pin 123 extending from the seat mount 122. The rotation R3, in turn, forces the seat 124 to rotate and lift to an open position (e.g., as shown in FIG. 3).

In some embodiments, the pedal 104 may be retained in the depressed position. For example, the magnetic plate 103 on the underside of the pedal 104 along with the magnet 105 provided within the pedal base 102 may provide a retaining force. In this way, the toilet seat may be retained in the open position. To disengage the retaining force, a counter force may be applied (e.g., by the user's foot) at a distal end of the pedal 104, thereby releasing the retaining force, and causing the vertical outer rod 118, vertical inner rod 116, the outer rod 108, and the main rod 106 to return to their original position, thus returning the toilet seat to the closed position. In some embodiments, an indicia may be provided at an end of the pedal 104 where a release force may be applied As described herein, the damper 114 may reduce the speed at which the vertical inner and outer rods, and in turn, the toilet seat, return to their original position, thus preventing the toilet seat from “slamming” down to its original position.

By using the main rod 106 with the L-shape shown, a rotational force is provided by engaging the pedal 104. This rotational force provides the lifting force of the vertical inner and outer rods 116, 118. By applying a rotational force at the initial stage of operation, less downward force on the pedal 104 may be required in relation to when a traditional foot lever is used. Also, to install the foot-operated toilet seat lift, the seat mount is simply attached to the toilet seat, and the floor mount is attached to the floor (e.g., next to the toilet), and adjustments to accommodate the height and width of varying toilets may be achieved using the threaded telescopic mechanisms for the outer rode 108 and the vertical outer rod 118. Further, the foot-operated toilet seat lift 100 may be disassembled easily for shipping/transportation, and may be easily reassembled by fastening the individual components. As such, assembly and installation does not require the use of specialty tools or a high degree of mechanical skill. Further, each component is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, making the foot-operated toilet seat lift, described herein, a practical solution for implementation in a large volume of both public and private restrooms.

FIGS. 2-7 show various views of the foot-operated toilet seat lift at different angles and in different operating positions in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show additional details of the pedal of the in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 shows example views of the foot-operated toilet seat accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.

The foregoing description provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the possible implementations to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the implementations.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of the possible implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one other claim, the disclosure of the possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.

While the present disclosure has been disclosed with respect to a limited number of embodiments, those skilled in the art, having the benefit of this disclosure, will appreciate numerous modifications and variations there from. For example, some components, described as being separate pieces or parts, may be integrated into one component. Similarly, one component may be divided into one or more sub-components, pieces, or parts. It is intended that the appended claims cover such modifications and variations as fall within the true spirit and scope of the disclosure. For example, the apparatus described herein may include any variety of mounting hardware or mounting mechanism. For example, the apparatus may mount to the toilet seat via screws, nuts, and bolts. Additionally, or alternatively, the apparatus may include an adhesive, locking tape, bindings, or the like for attaching one or more of the components described herein. Further, the male and female ends of threads shown may be interchangeable than what is shown in the FIGS.

No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items and may be used interchangeably with “one or more.” Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a pedal; a main rod comprising: an L-shaped bend at and diagonally extending off a first distal end of the main rod along a diagonal plane, and a perpendicular extending member at a second distal end of the main rod, the perpendicular extending member horizontally extending along a horizontal plane; a vertical rod connected to the main rod via the perpendicular extending member, the vertical rod extending vertically along a vertical plane; and a toilet seat mount coupled to the vertical rod and connecting the vertical rod to a toilet seat, wherein application of downward force to the pedal assembly causes the apparatus to: engage and rotate the L-shaped bend via the pedal; rotate the perpendicular extending member; axially lift the vertical rod vertically along the vertical plane; and lift the toilet seat to an open position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a hook at a distal end of the vertical rod, wherein the hook connects the vertical rod to the main rod.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a ball joint connected to the vertical rod.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the toilet seat mount is coupled to the vertical rod via a pin extending from the toilet seat mount and connected to the ball joint, wherein application of the downward force on the peddle further causes the apparatus to lift the toilet seat by rotating the toilet seat mount about the pin via the ball joint.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a magnetic plate and magnet configured to retain the peddle in downward position and retain the toilet seat in the open position.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a damper to absorb a gravitational force when the pedal is released from the open position and to reduce a speed at which the toilet seat returns to a closed position.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the main rod and vertical rod are telescopically adjustable.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a floor mount.
 9. An apparatus comprising: a pedal; a main rod: a vertical rod connected to the main rod; a toilet seat mount coupled to the vertical rod and connecting the vertical rod to a toilet seat, wherein application of downward force to the pedal assembly causes the apparatus to: engage and rotate the main rod via the pedal; axially lift the vertical rod vertically along the vertical plane; and lift the toilet seat to an open position.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a hook at a distal end of the vertical rod, wherein the hook connects the vertical rod to the main rod.
 11. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a ball joint connected to the vertical rod.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the toilet seat mount is coupled to the vertical rod via a pin extending from the toilet seat mount and connected to the ball joint, wherein application of the downward force on the peddle further causes the apparatus to lift the toilet seat by rotating the toilet seat mount about the pin via the ball joint.
 13. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a magnetic plate and magnet configured to retain the peddle in downward position and retain the toilet seat in the open position.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a damper to absorb a gravitational force when the pedal is released from the open position and to reduce a speed at which the toilet seat returns to a closed position.
 15. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the main rod and vertical rod are telescopically adjustable.
 16. The apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a floor mount.
 17. An apparatus comprising: a pedal assembly comprising a pedal and a base; a main rod comprising: an L-shaped bend at and diagonally extending off a first distal end of the main rod along a diagonal plane, and a perpendicular extending member at a second distal end of the main rod, the perpendicular extending member horizontally extending along a horizontal plane; an outer rod connected to the perpendicular extending member of the main rod; a first ball joint connected to the outer rod; a vertical inner rod connected to the main rod via the outer rod and the first ball joint, the vertical rod extending vertically along a vertical plane; a vertical outer rod connected to the vertical inner rod and extending vertically along the vertical plane; and a second ball joint connected to the vertical outer rod; a toilet seat mount coupled to the vertical outer rod via a pin extending from the toilet seat mount and connected to the second ball joint, the toilet seat mount connecting the vertical outer rod to a toilet seat, wherein application of downward force to the pedal assembly causes the apparatus to: engage and the L-shaped bend via the pedal; rotate the outer rod and perpendicular extending member; axially lift the vertical rod vertically along the vertical plane; and lift the toilet seat to an open position.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a hook at a distal end of the vertical inner rod, wherein the hook connects the vertical inner rod to the main rod.
 19. The apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a magnetic plate and a magnet provided within the peddle assembly configured to retain the peddle in downward position and retain the toilet seat in the open position.
 20. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the main rod and vertical rod are telescopically adjustable. 